“Sinn Fein will use its Private Members time next week to call for a fully independent inquiry into this matter.

“The Government’s response to the controversy has indeed undermined public confidence in GSOC whereas the Government, and in particular the Minister for Justice, has a clear responsibility to uphold the integrity of An Garda Síochána and of GSOC. That has not happened.

“We believe that the only way public confidence can be re-established is through a fully independent inquiry.”

Speaking on the role played by Minister Alan Shatter, Deputy Adams said:

“Every utterance from Minister Shatter has further undermined public confidence.

“I think that there is an inherent resistance, within the Government, to the type of accountability and oversight that GSOC represents.

“The impression that the Taoiseach gave, stating GSOC was in breach of the law, when he misquoted the legislation, the fact that the Minister sent for the Commission even though the Commission is independent and that the Minister has put a version of what he was told, into the Dáil record, that has been contradicted by what the Oireachtas committee was told by the Commission itself are all issues of controversy.

“Somebody with objectivity and expertise must be brought in to inquire into all these matters.

“GSOC itself has said, while there is no definite evidence, at the same time there was a credible threat to its security and that these three threat or anomalies have not been explained.

“All that needs to investigated. The Commission itself had access to only limited level of technological expertise

“Let Minister Shatter, GSOC and the Garda Commissioner all go forward to an independent inquiry.

“It is such an inquiry that Sinn Féin is calling for through the PMB motion that the party published today.”

DÁIL ÉIREANN

Fógra Tairisceana : Notice of Motion

GNÓ COMHALTAÍ PRÍOBHÁIDEACHAPRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

“That Dáil Éireann:notes:—that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to provide an independent and effective civilian oversight of policing in this State;—that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is maintained;—the reports that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s offices may have been subjected to covert surveillance; and—that the obfuscation by the Government, thus far, to these reports has only served to obscure the situation and undermine confidence in both State agencies, including statements made by members of the Government into the Dáil record which have now been flatly contradicted by the Ombudsman;recognises that:—significant public concern now exists in relation to this matter and that there is an urgent need to ensure that public trust and confidence in the Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is maintained; and—there is now a compelling case to establish an independent inquiry into this matter without delay and to be undertaken by a suitable person(s) with the appropriate experience, qualifications, training and expertise; andcalls on the Government to establish an independent inquiry into the matter without delay and consider options including a Commission of Investigation, as provided for under existing legislation through the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.” — Gerry Adams, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Martin Ferris, Mary Lou McDonald, Pearse Doherty, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Dessie Ellis, Brian Stanley, Sandra McLellan, Jonathan O'Brien, Peadar Tóibín, Michael Colreavy, Seán Crowe, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.